Construction Management

What is Construction Management?

Construction management is a dynamic profession that is a combination of art and science. While an understanding of the technical aspects of construction is extremely important, it is also essential that construction professionals have knowledge of the business and management aspects of the profession.

Why study Construction Management at Drexel?

Construction has traditionally been a conservative industry, but the increasing rate of technological development and competition in the industry serves to accelerate the development of new construction methods, equipment, materials, and management techniques. As a result of these forces, there is an increasing need for innovative and professionally competent construction professionals.

Drexel’s B.S. in Construction Management prepares students to become well-rounded, forward-thinking leaders in today’s rapidly evolving construction industry. The curriculum combines a strong foundation in academic, technical, business, and management principles with extensive opportunities for leadership development and hands-on learning. Students build knowledge in core areas such as mathematics, building materials, structures, and construction methods, then advance into specialized topics including cost estimating, project planning and scheduling, contracts and specifications, building systems, site planning and design, construction safety, sustainability, and business operations.

With a strong emphasis on emerging technologies and industry innovation, students gain experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), sustainable construction, and other technologies transforming the built environment. Graduates are prepared to manage projects and construction organizations through every phase, from planning and estimating to execution and delivery, while responding to industry challenges such as aging infrastructure, smart and multipurpose buildings, energy-efficient construction, and evolving building materials and methods. This broad and future-focused education equips Drexel Construction Management graduates with the technical expertise, business knowledge, leadership skills, and practical perspective needed to excel as construction professionals and leaders. Students are able to choose from a wide range of subjects in the social sciences and humanities to satisfy electives in the liberal arts and free elective requirements.

As the only degree in the Philadelphia region accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), students will learn from faculty with industry experience and draw from deep Drexel industry connections and alumni network working at the top constructors in the nation.

Experiential Learning in Construction Management

The Drexel Construction Management Co-op gives you the ability to directly apply what you learned in the classroom. You come away knowing more about the options for a career path, your preferred work environment, and becoming more confident about the focus within your chosen discipline. The context you gain provides you with the ability to start your career ready to make a difference. Some of the companies that have hired Drexel students as co-op or full-time employees:

• Gilbane Building Company
• L.F. Driscoll Construction Company
• Target Building Construction
• Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
• Benchmarking Construction Company
• INTECH Construction
• Allan Myers
• Pennoni Associates
• Brandywine Realty Trust
• Turner Construction Company
• Intech Construction Managers
• Urban Engineers, Inc.
• IMC Construction

Drexel's Steinbright Career Development Center and Construction Management faculty and administration provide resources and assist in co-op selection, giving students a meaningful professional foundation as they pursue careers in architecture, design, planning, and related fields after graduation.

What Skills Will You Learn in a Construction Management Program?

• Develop the ability to plan, coordinate, and manage construction projects across their full lifecycle.
• Demonstrate proficiency in cost estimating, scheduling, project controls, and risk management, while also gaining fluency in Building Information Modeling (BIM), virtual design and construction, and emerging construction technologies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant subject matter described in the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) guidelines.
• Understand the value of and apply sustainable building practices to optimize use of available resources.
• Cultivate the “art” of construction management—communication, leadership, negotiation, and ethical decision-making—enabling them to guide diverse teams and respond creatively to evolving project challenges.

Curriculum and Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete 187 credits for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. The required courses expose students to a variety of engineering, construction, business and communication topics.

Visit the Drexel Catalog for more information or learn more about our admissions requirements.

Minors

Students have the option to minor in any area at the University. Popular minors include business, marketing, and many others. Explore the options for minors.

Facilities for Construction Management Majors

Construction Management students work in light-filled design studios on the fourth floor of the URBN Center, Westphal College's state-of-the-art facility. Studio spaces are supported by lecture halls and fabrication shops in adjacent buildings, all accessible to students around the clock via secure swipe card access.

The URBN Center's ground-floor Hybrid Making Lab provides students with access to high-tech digital fabrication equipment including 3D printers and laser cutters along with traditional analog tools, supporting the program's emphasis on hands-on making and iterative design. Additional computer and photo labs offer access to specialized software and photography lighting, and in-house printing services provide affordable options for plotting and presentation output.

Career Opportunities with a Construction Management Degree

Careers in construction management provides many opportunities with job titles such as construction manager, construction estimator, superintendent, land planner, sustainability consultant, project manger, facilities manger, site engineer. Professionals in this field earn a median salary of $106,980, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Drexel outcomes one year after graduation include:

• 100% job placement rate upon graduation
• $106,980 median salary after graduation
• 50% of students receive job offers from their co-op employers

Graduates of the Construction Management program have secured positions as project managers, estimators, schedulers, and field superintendents for general contractors, subcontractors, and construction managers. Many are employed as owner representatives working for architectural firms, consulting engineering firms, commercial companies and institutions that have needs for building or other construction projects. Some have risen to executive positions within companies while others own their own firms. Graduates have also returned to the program after obtaining positions in the field to teach and share expertise.

Learn more about Construction Management

Need help deciding which undergraduate Construction Management degree is best for you? Want to tour the facilities at Drexel Westphal, or learn more about how our program prepares students for architecture careers? The Westphal Admissions team is available to answer questions, organize a tour, or connect you with faculty. Contact us at westphaladm@drexel.edu or 215.895.1738.

For more information on the BS in Construction Management pathway, visit the Drexel University Undergraduate Catalog: Construction Management.

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